Melissa Clarks Oysters Rockefeller Recipes

MELISSA CLARK'S OYSTERS ROCKEFELLER

Steps:

• In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the bread crumbs and sauté until they are just a tiny bit golden, about 1 minute or so. Stir in the watercress, parsley, celery and celery leaves, scallions, and garlic. Cook until fragrant, 1 minute. Stir in the Pernod and let it cook off for another minute. Remove from the heat and stir in the capers and a pinch of salt (not too much, those oysters are salty too).
• Preheat the broiler. Fill a baking pan (or two) with a 1/2-inch layer of coarse or rock salt. Lay the oysters on top of the salt. Spoon a little of the sauce mixture on top of the oysters. Broil until just golden, about 2 minutes. Serve hot.

OYSTERS ROCKEFELLER

Steps:

• In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the bread crumbs and sauté until they are just a tiny bit golden, about 2 minutes. Stir in the spinach, parsley, shallot and garlic. Cook until fragrant, 1 minute. Remove from the heat and stir in a small pinch of salt.
• Finely grate 1/2 teaspoon zest from the lemon and add it to the bread crumb mixture. Cut the lemon in half and squeeze out 1 tablespoon of the juice; mix into the pan.
• Heat the broiler to high. Fill a baking pan (or two) with a 1/2-inch layer of salt or line the pan with crumbled up foil (to steady the oysters so the juices don't spill). Lay the oysters on top of the salt or foil. Spoon about 1/2 tablespoon of the sauce mixture on top of the oysters. Broil until just golden, 1 to 3 minutes. Serve hot, with a squeeze of lemon on top, if you like.

OYSTERS ROCKEFELLER

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
• Open the oysters, leaving them on the half shell, and reserve the oyster liquor. Arrange them in a baking pan; then, chill until ready to use.
• Pick over the spinach and remove any tough stems and blemished leaves. Rinse well and place in a saucepan. Cover and cook, stirring, until wilted. Drain well, and squeeze to remove all moisture.
• In the container of a food processor, combine the drained spinach, celery, scallions, parsley, garlic and anchovies. Blend to a fine texture.
• In a skillet, heat 2 tablespoons butter. Add spinach mixture. Cook and stir for about 1 minute. Set aside.
• Heat the remaining butter in a saucepan. Add the flour, blend, and stir with a wire whisk. Add the oyster liquor, stirring vigorously with the whisk. Stir in the cream, season with Tabasco, and cook for about 2 minutes. Add the spinach mixture, cheese and liqueur. Blend well and let cool. Add salt and pepper to taste.
• Spoon equal parts of the spinach mixture on top of the oysters and smooth over the tops. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until piping hot.